The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development:

Minister Dempster Recognizes World No Tobacco Day

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize World No Tobacco Day. Each year on May 31, the World Health Organization highlights the health and other risks associated with tobacco use, as part of their advocacy for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

This year, the theme is “Tobacco Breaks Hearts” focusing on tobacco’s link to heart and other cardiovascular diseases. The goal is to increase awareness about the impact that tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke have on cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Seven million of those deaths are linked to tobacco use, including nearly 900,000 non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.

Mr. Speaker, our government committed in The Way Forward to improve health outcomes for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including reducing the smoking rate in the province by four per cent by 2025.

In Budget 2018, we included $250,000 for smoking cessation programs. This includes ongoing support for the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association Smokers’ Helpline, the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco and the Provincial Smoking Cessation Program for individuals with low income.

Mr. Speaker, today I encourage all of my colleagues in this Honourable House, and all citizens of our province, to join me in making every day, World No Tobacco Day.